treading water

I feel like I've started many recent blog posts by saying I can't believe how quickly a month has gone by, and I feel that way about April more than any other.  It seems like just yesterday at school we were saying, "I can't believe it's almost April!" ... and now it's almost May.  I have almost made it through my first year as a principal, and while the end is in sight, there is still lots of work left to do.  Besides the fact that this has been my first year, it's also a year unlike any other due to our renovation and move.  The whole project is much larger-scale than I originally anticipated, and while it's very exciting, it's also brought a whole other component in terms of workload that wouldn't typically be part of my job.  The work will be worth it though, because when we walk in next school year, the building will have my stamp on it, and I know that's an opportunity that may not come my way again.  In this last month, I've had to make some difficult decisions at work, and I'm working hard to navigate the fine balance between relationships and tough calls, and the stress that lies therein.  Everyday is a learning experience.

A couple of weekends ago, my parents stopped through on their way back to MN from FL.  They were here for our long Easter weekend, and we heated the pool to ring in an early summer!

I can't wait for this to be every Saturday and Sunday!

Always have to get the group selfie.

 The last two Friday nights have been school spring socials - Sara's last week and mine last night.  Face paint, photo booths, cake walks ... all the good things!  Sara was excited to win one of the spots for the 2nd grade teacher party at the silent auction at her school.

 Last weekend Emma's soccer team had an end-of-season party (here they are waiting for trophies...).  We love this little team from her school and their coach, who is a teacher at school.  We're sad that some of the kids will go to kinder in the fall and the group has to split - they have such special little friendships. The parents all have fun together, too, so we plan to continue the social events.

 I stumbled across this selfie on my phone the other day, and it made me smile.  While I would love to pretend that this photo is super representative of our life right now, the truth is that these two spend more time arguing than not ... but I sure appreciate whatever effort was given by both parties to snap this shot.

 Steve is out of town this weekend celebrating Draft Weekend with his fraternity buddies, and tonight Sara is at a sleepover, so Emma and I are hanging out.  She planted some seeds she got from school the other day (hopefully they'll grow), we did nails, and now she is lounging watching "Ghost Busters" while we wait for more April showers to hit (we've sure had a lot of them this year).

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  Like with everything else this year, I'm preparing at the very last minute ... but I sure won't miss it.  So many people in my life deserve huge recognition this week!  Then, for us, it's state testing and various other events leading up to the fast and furious finish.  Maybe May will light a fire under me to make some plans for summer!

Book Talk

Except for professional reading (and because of professional reading), my recent requirement for enjoyment reading has been light and easy.  If that's what you're looking for, especially going into summer, I recommend both of these titles.

I chose The Marvelous Misadventures of Ingrid Winter because it came up as a free option through Amazon Prime.  It's about a mom who is trying to be good at all the things - home, parenting, marriage, work, etc., etc.  Sound familiar?  Anyway, she has some pretty big mishaps along the way but ends up where she is supposed to be.

Isn't everyone a Liane Moriarty fan?  Three Wishes is about thirty-something triplet sisters who define love/hate.  They have all kinds of drama.  Some of it's trivial, of course, some some is more serious - marriage issues, infertility, inability to commit anywhere in life.  Engaging story and an ending you can live with - or at least I can!

"I was born with a reading list I'll never finish!"

-Maud Casey

April Showers

It's a rainy April Sunday, so while Steve and Sara went downtown for Comic Con this morning, Emma and I met up with some of her friends and their moms to see "Beauty and the Beast".  It was so, so good.  A little scary in a few parts for the little girls, but the music and scenery were amazing, and I like how they adapted the story line in places.  Made me feel like a ten-year-old (minus the adult beverage, thanks to Studio Movie Grill)!

I can.not.believe. how quickly March came and went.  A few weeks ago, Steve ran another half marathon.  The girls and I went downtown to watch him finish the race.

 Even though Steve's prep for this race wasn't stellar, he still finished it.  I'm so proud of him, and I love the example he sets for the girls.  I always feel like such a bump-on-a-log when we go to watch these races ... I spend a minute feeling some inspiration to go run, and then I remind myself that I really don't want to.  I enjoy exercising, but I still don't think a half marathon is in my future.

 After I picked up the girls the other evening after a long, exhausting week, we headed for fro-yo.  We followed it up with popcorn and "Trolls" at home.  So much for a well-balanced meal ... everything in moderation, right?!  I feel like I work all the time, so the quality time with my girls was more important the other night than making dinner.

 Emma has been practicing -at family words at school.  She loves reading them to us.

 Sara orchestrated some April Fool's jokes around here yesterday, and Emma was thrilled to tag along with her.  Apparently she researched these ones on YouTube ... clever:

 

I'm thankful for this rainy day.  It's just rain - not the crazy storms we had earlier in the week (though we escaped damage unlike some surrounding areas) - but it's forcing us to lay low.  Sara is working on legos and Emma is making birthday invitations (I can't convince her that it's too early to get a start on planning her September birthday ...).  And now that it's already April, I know the next couple of months are going to be a whirlwind - planning for summer, finishing school, packing up everything at my school, hiring, soccer, etc., etc. - so, yes, enjoying the quiet rain today!

March Madness

Go Cyclones! 🏀

 

Wordless Wednesday

SB17

We had the best Spring Break 2017!  Steve was able to join us on our Florida get-away this year, which is always a nice treat.  We had no agenda besides pool, beach, and R&R, and it was perfect.

Upon arrival, first stop: pool!

 Our first beach day was SUPER windy, but fun nonetheless.  We were glad that the wind died down early in the week.

It was fun to watch the girls enjoy the simple pleasure of sand play for days on end.  It was good to unplug!

Of course I had to get my annual fill of Yuengling (and Key West Sunset Ale).

 It was nice to have downtime with this guy without the stress of our typical day-to-day.

 Of course the girls couldn't spend time at the beach without getting buried!

 One afternoon, we spent a few hours on Neal's yacht.  We enjoyed the beauty of the water and spotted many dolphins.

The girls were so enamored with the interior of the boat, where there is a living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.  They spent some time playing down there, and also enjoyed riding on the bow, where we felt the fresh air and occasional ocean spray.

I mean, really, who could have problems here?  Not us!

 Loved the time with my parents.  They have a very rough life.

 Our beach trips resulted in sand cities, including this masterpiece by the sea.

 We enjoyed seafood and live music at the Monkey Bar, Nauti Mermaid, and the Mucky Duck, where we watched the beautiful sun set over the water. 

 It was a great week - and a much needed vacation - with these people.  Full hearts.

Now we're sort-of-ready to head back to school and work.  Between Daylight Savings and the full moon, it should be an interesting week!

#notmyFebruary

It seems like we always say that the short weeks feel the longest -- even when we have Monday off, the rest of the week seems to drag.  That's how I feel about February right now: the shortest month feels the longest.

Since my birthday at the beginning of the month (which was a good start), I have left my wallet in a cab (see Chicago post) and rear-ended someone (who, in turn, rear-ended someone else).  Not my finest moments.  Not my February.  Both situations have caused a number of residual headaches.  And in both instances, I was totally at fault - I was in a hurry, thinking about something else, preoccupied.  Message has been sent and received: I need to slow down and be present.  My life is going a million miles an hour in as many directions, but I have to find a way to be in the now.  We work so hard with our kids at school about being mindful in their actions and identifying their needs.  It's time for me to take a lesson from my own book.

I have lots of goals, and I'm committed to moving "be present" to the top of the list.  It's a work in progress.  In the meantime, this is #notmyFebruary.  I'll be so glad when it's over.